People who want to make sure Christmas cards and gifts get abroad need to post them by November 3.

Anything intended to go to Eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta and Iceland needs to go by that date.

Cards and parcels going to Western Europe including France, Germany and Italy must be in the system by November 17.

Andy Pickering, head of network, Royal Mail , said; “Surface mail products provide value for money for those sending cards, letters and parcels to Europe. In the modern world, it is easy to forget that it can still take a long time to reach some destinations by land and sea.

"We don’t want anyone to be disappointed if they are waiting for Christmas mail. As always, we urge customers to post all mail as early as possible as Royal Mail builds up to its busiest time of year. "